Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan watches from the sideline in the second half of a preseason game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J.(Photo: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)

“Honestly, you can almost appreciate the overt racism more than the underlying racism – because you know where they stand,” Derrick Morgan said, and I hadn’t really thought of it that way.

But that’s why I went to Morgan in the Titans locker room Monday, after an evening practice, before the Carolina Panthers arrive to spice up a week of training camp and with Charlottesville making everything else going on in this country seem trivial. Morgan is outspoken and thoughtful, dedicated to using his platform to help people, willing to be frank – as he was about the NFL last season when it was revealed the league tried to improperly influence federal concussion research – and he has a perspective I can’t possibly have.

I’m white and Morgan’s black, and this past weekend and many other moments in the past year have shaken me and made me realize how naive I’ve been about racial progress. Not so much for him. So that’s part of why I went to him.

The word "SHAME" is written on the Confederate monument near a photograph of Heather Heyer, the woman who was killed in Charlottesville, Va., during the protest in downtown Norfolk, Va., on Aug. 16, 2017.
Steve Earley, The Virginian-Pilot, via AP

Tom Lever, 28, and Aaliyah Jones, 38, both of Charlottesville, put up a sign that says "Heather Heyer Park" at the base of the Confederate general Robert E. Lee monument in Emancipation Park on Aug. 15 in Charlottesville, Va.
Julia Rendleman, AP

A woman holds a sign declaring one nation of immigrants during a rally in favor of DACA and immigration reform on Aug. 15, 2017, at the White House in Washington. The protesters want to preserve the Obama administration program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. The Trump administration has said it still has not decided the program's fate.
Jacquelyn Martin, AP

Ron Landay applauds a speaker during the "Tuesdays with Toomey" protest in downtown Pittsburgh on Aug. 15, 2017. About 50 people rallied outside Sen. Pat Toomey's Downtown office in support of the immigration program for children.
Lake Fong, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, via AP

Dozens of immigration advocates and supporters attend a rally outside of Trump Tower along Fifth Avenue on Aug. 15, 2017, in New York. The activists were rallying on the five-year anniversary of President Obama's executive order, DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, protecting undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images

Protesters block the door to Gov. Bill Haslam's office during a rally against a Nathan Bedford Forrest bust at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Aug. 14, 2017.
Shelley Mays , The Tennessean

Demonstrators gather in remembrance of the victims that were injured in Charlottesville, Va., in front of the Minneapolis Republican Party office in Minneapolis on Aug. 14, 2017.
Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune, via AP

Demonstrators gather on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington on Aug. 14, 2017. For the second night in a row, people gathered in front of the White House to protest the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

Protesters gather in New York and sit during a moment of silence on Aug. 14, 2017, as they protest President Trump not far from Trump Tower. One person holds a sign referring to Heather Heyer who was killed in Charlottesville, Va., after a car plowed into a crowd.
Craig Ruttle, AP

Pedestrians walk past a 15-foot tall inflatable rat in the likeness of President Trump at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street near Trump Tower on Aug. 14, 2017, in New York.
Drew Angerer, Getty Images

It’s also because I think about these things more than ever and want to write about them more than anything else – no offense to the compelling preseason Titans-Jets game we just witnessed – but I’ll be totally honest here. I’m skittish. Writing about race is scary. You feel that if you say one thing that’s out of step with the enlightened side of the discussion, you will be jumped for it. Case in point: A year ago I wrote that I didn’t think “oppression” was the right word for Colin Kaepernick to use in explaining his anthem protests, and one emailing reader suggested I must come from a family of KKK sympathizers. That one left a mark.

See, this stuff is easy at home. We teach our kids that every person of every possible background deserves the same respect and opportunity. But when you talk about these things in a public forum, the emotions and reactions are so intense that you think twice about it the next time. You tend to stick to sports. It’s like political discussions in our country, which are largely poisonous exercises in screaming and name calling with no productive outcome. It’s one side or the other, with no room for an original thought. It’s spin to prove your side correct, not an open mind, not a willingness to listen, not a search for truth.

Let’s take the Kaepernick debate, which has infuriated me for weeks but hasn’t elicited a column from me because, you know, fear of screaming. Is he being punished unfairly for his views and actions off the field? Absolutely. If any NFL owner thought Kaepernick could actually help him win as starting QB, would Kaepernick have a job right now? Without question.

A photo of Heather Heyer, who was killed during a white nationalist rally, sits on the ground at a memorial the day her life was celebrated at the Paramount Theater on Aug. 16, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va.
Evan Vucci, AP

Marcus Martin, right, hugs Marissa Blair, left, during a memorial for Heather Heyer on Aug. 16, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Martin pushed Blair out of the way of the vehicle that killed Heyer.
Pool photo by Andrew Shurtleff

Clergy observe a moment of silence during the memorial service for Heather Heyer outside the Paramount Theater Aug. 16, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. The memorial service was held four days after Heyer was killed when a participant in a white nationalist, neo-Nazi rally allegedly drove his car into the crowd of people demonstrating against the 'alt-right' gathering.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Jason Charter of Washington, left, stands at the site where Heather Heyer was killed during a white nationalist rally on Aug. 16, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Charter was at the scene when a car rammed into a crowd of people protesting the rally.
Evan Vucci, AP

A chalk message calling for a park to be renamed after Heather Heyer is written in the street where she was killed and 19 others injured when a car slamed into a crowd of people protesting against a white supremacist rally, Aug. 16, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Mason Pickett, a Charlottesville resident, tries to toss a wire over the chalk wall to hang up a wreath. Following protests that turned violent on Aug. 12, 2017, and a day of memorial and mourning on 13th, Charlottesville, Va, continues to recover.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

Tannis Fuller embraces her son while her husband and other son stands nearby. Fuller moved to Charlottesville in 2003 and started a family from scratch, both her sons were born in the town and she was just blocks away at the time when Heather Heyer was killed.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

The memorial on 4th Street is built up with more flowers while two spectators drop their bouquets into the formation. Following protests that turned violent on Saturday and a day of memorial and mourning on Sunday, the town of Charlottesville, Va., continues to recover from the social rift.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

People gather at an informal memorial at the site where 32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed when a car plowed into a crowd of people protesting against the white supremacist Unite the Right rally on Aug. 13, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Charlottesville is calm the day after violence errupted around the Unite the Right rally, a gathering of white nationalists, neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan and members of the 'alt-right,' that left Heyer dead and injured 19 others.
Win McNamee, Getty Images

After threats of alt-right presence in the area, a crowd of hundreds of mourners and citizens showed up to a vigil on Aug. 13, 2017, at the crash site in Charlottesville, Va., where Heather Heyer was killed when a car barreled into a group of protesters.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

Brittney Cain-Conley, lead organizer for Congregate Charlottesville, with hat, gets a hug from a supporter after she addressed the crowd during a vigil on, Aug. 13, 2017, held at the site where a car plowed into a crowd of people protesting a white nationalist rally on Saturday in Charlottesville, Va.
Steve Helber, AP

Hundreds of people gather for a vigil on the spot where 32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed when a car plowed into a crowd of people protesting against the white supremacist Unite the Right rally Aug. 13, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Flowers and notes are left in memory of Heather Heyer, who died after she was struck when a car plowed into a crowd protesting the 'Unite the Right' rally.
Mykal McEldowney, Indy Star-USA TODAY NETWORK

David Brear, gray shirt, Kerry Rock, facing camera, and Colleen Todd, red shirt, embrace after visiting the memorial for the three who passed away the day before during the protests.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY Sports

A protester throws a punch at Jason Kessler after grabbing at his shoulder during a press conference. Kessler, an alt-right blogger, held a press conference in front of Charlottesville City Hall the day after the protests, where a crowd of counter protesters arrived to shout over him while he spoke into the microphone on Aug. 13, 2017.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

Virginia police are stationed in locations all around the podium as Jason Kessler, an alt-right blogger, holds a press conference in front of Charlottesville City Hall the day after the protests, where a crowd of counter protesters arrived to shout over him while he spoke on Aug. 13, 2017.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY Sports

"I just don't want to see people get hurt anymore," said Charlottesville resident Mai Shurtleff, left. "I have a little girl I just can't imagine." As Shurtleff sat weeping on the sidewalk near the site where a car plowed into a group of counter protesters killing one, Damonia Lee approached. "We are fighting for equality. I was here. I hugged her. She was so sweet," Lee said, about the young female who lost her life. "We're going to take our city back. This is a city of love."
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A counter protester warns police that if actions, hate aren't stopped he will 'do something' on his own. He and others voiced their opinions over a loud speaker after the press conference by 'Unite the Right' organizer Jason Kessler in Charlottesville, Va., on Aug. 13, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

Crowd members play loud instruments and yell as to drown out the voice of 'Unite the Right' rally organizer and white nationalist Jason Kessler as he speaks to a large crowd gathered at Charlottesville City Hall on Aug. 13, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

Nicole Curry, a life-long resident of Charlottesville, watches from inside the Charlottesville Downtown Visitors Center as people start to file onto the grounds in front of City Hall to watch a press conference by 'Unite the Right' organizer and white nationalist Jason Kessler on Aug. 13, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

'Unite the Right' rally organizer and white nationalist Jason Kessler speaks to a large crowd gathered at Charlottesville City Hall. Crowd members played loud instruments and yelled as to drown out his voice on Aug. 13, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

Following the violence during the Alt-right rally and counter protests, where one person was killed and nineteen injured after being hit by a car, the city of Charlottesville reacts.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

Jewel King presents flowers to a small memorial following the violence at the Alt-right rally and counter protests where one person was killed and nineteen injured after being hit by a car.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

David Heins spreads flowers in the shape of a heart on Sunday in Charlottesville, Va., a day after one person died in violent protests when white supremacists clashed with counter protesters.
Henry Taylor, USA TODAY

Charlottesville resident Mai Shurtleff, right, sits weeping on the sidewalk near the site where a car plowed into a group of counter protesters killing one. "This wasn't something I expected to happen in our town," she said as Charlottesville resident Bob Kiefer consoled her on Aug. 13, 2017. "This does not define Charlottesville at all. We are a strong, loving community. I don't even know this gentleman but as strangers we are friends. This is what makes us stronger together."
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

TC Whysall, manager at Red Pump Kitchen in Charlottesville, lays white roses on the site where a car plowed into a group of counter protesters killing one.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

People fly into the air as a vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
Ryan M. Kelly, The Daily Progress via AP

Virginia State Police inspect the site where a vehicle hit protesters in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12, 2017. According to media reports at least one person was killed and 19 injured after a car hit a crowd of people counter-protesting the 'Unite the Right' rally.
Tasos Katopodis, European Pressphoto Agency

Police and members of the National Guard patrol near the location where a car plowed into a crowd of people marching through a downtown shopping district on Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

AUGUST 12: Krystin Rines, center, rests her head on her husband Tyler Rines' shoulder during a vigil for those who were injured and died when a car plowed into a crowd of anti-fascist counter-demonstrators marching near a downtown shopping area Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Win McNamee, Getty Images

People place flowers at a makeshift memorial during a vigil for those who were injured and died when a car plowed into a crowd of anti-facist counter-demonstrators marching near a downtown shopping area Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Win McNamee, Getty Images

People gather for a vigil after a car plowed through a crowd of demonstrators, killing one person and injuring 18 others, during violence at the white nationalist 'United the Right' rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va. Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency after white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" violently clashed with anti-facist and Black Lives Matter counter-demonstrators at Emancipation Park.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

A car plows into pedestrians and vehicles on the mall in Charlottesville after Saturday's white supremacist rally. The driver hit the knot of cars and people at high speed, then backed up and fled the scene.
Jeremiah Knupp, Special to The News Leader via USA TODAY Network

Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred protesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them.
Steve Helber, AP

A member of a white nationalist group recovers after being hit by a counter protester on the grounds of Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during a 'Unite the Right' rally.
Mykal McEldowney, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK

A member of a white nationalist group recovers after being hit by pepper spray by a counter protester on the grounds of Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during a 'Unite the Right' rally.
Mykal McEldowney, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK

White nationalists swing their flag sticks and use makeshift shields to push their way through counter protesters at Emancipation Park during the 'Unite the Right' rallyon Aug.12, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A white nationalist prepares to swing his flag stick and use makeshift shields to help push his crew's way through counter protesters at Emancipation Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally on Aug.12, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A Charlottesville police officer breaks up a fight on the street in front of Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during the 'Unite the Right' rally on Aug.12, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A counter protester, left, feuds with a white nationalist on the street in front of Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during the 'Unite the Right' rally on Aug.12, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A white nationalist guards the entrance to Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during the 'Unite the Right' rally on Aug.12, 2017. The man wore a red wings pin on the collar of his shirt. According to the Detroit Free Press, "The Detroit Red Wings are exploring possible legal action after a slightly modified team logo appeared on signs held by protesters at a violent and deadly white nationalist rally in Virginia on Saturday. "
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

A Charlottesville Police officer breaks up a fight on the street in front of Emancipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, during the 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK

Colleen Cook, 26, holds a sign as hundreds of people are facing off in Charlottesville, Va., ahead of a white nationalist rally planned in the Virginia city's downtown on Aug. 12, 2017. Cook, a teacher who attended UVA, said she sent her black son out of town for the weekend. "This isn't how he should have to grow up," she said.
Sarah Rankin, AP

White nationalist Richard Spencer, center, and his supporters clash with Virginia State Police in Lee Park after the "United the Right" rally was declared an unlawful gathering Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" clashed with anti-facist protesters and police as they attempted to hold a rally in Lee Park, where a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee is slated to be removed.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" are confronted by protesters as they march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "United the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "United the Right" rally Aug.12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va. A
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "United the Right" rally Aug.12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" clash with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" exchange vollys of pepper spray with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" exchange insults with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" exchange insults with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" clash with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" clash with counter-protesters as they enter Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

A man makes a slashing motion across his throat twoard counter-protesters as he marches with other white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Counter-protesters line the route taken by white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Counter-protesters line the route taken by white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Counter-protesters line the route taken by white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the "alt-right" during the "Unite the Right" rally Aug. 12, 2017 in Charlottesville, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Multiple white nationalist groups march with torches through the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville on Aug. 11, 2017. When met by counter protesters, some yelling "Black lives matter," tempers turned into violence. Multiple punches were thrown, pepper spray was sprayed and torches were used as weapons.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

Campus and state police yell to disperse as white nationalists and counter protesters feud on the UVA campus in Charlottesville on August 11, 2017.
Mykal McEldowney, The Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY NETWORK

But I’ve seen so many things written and said about this that are devoted to spinning one viewpoint or the other. It’s true that he played pretty well last season when he got his chances, but also that he was seen as a gifted-yet-erratic backup quarterback in this league before he ever made a political statement. It’s true that his San Francisco teammates last year voted for him to win the Len Eshmont award for “inspirational and courageous play,” and that some of the things said by NFL executives after his initial protests were incredibly ignorant.

It’s also true that the “police pig socks” he wore and the tweet his girlfriend sent out comparing Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to a slave owner can’t be helping him – this isn’t just about the anthem protest. It’s shameful that he doesn’t have a job because he’s certainly better than most of the No. 2 quarterbacks in the league, but this is more complex than either narrative claims it to be. And if you don’t think Kaepernick would be a distraction in his new NFL home, trust me, I work in media. He won’t have a choice. I really hope we get to find out.

So anyway, back to Charlottesville and Derrick Morgan, a 28-year-old linebacker from Lancaster, Pa., with a business degree from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Miami (Fla). This isn’t about politics. This is about basic human respect and decency. I went to him mostly to just talk it out because, to be honest again, I’m jarred and confused on where this is all going. I have access to an NFL locker room and someone who can speak on it from a perspective that must be heard in this country – someone who is out there trying to make things better. And I’m glad I used that access.

What have you been thinking since Charlottesville?

“I think what you’re seeing up there is a lot of hate, a lot of racism that people sometimes don’t want to acknowledge. People kind of sweep it under the rug – people ignore it – but it’s still prevalent. And those are the people that are overt with it. I think there’s definitely still racism in this country. It’s still alive and it’s passed down. When you have hate like that and opinions like that, that’s taught. I think what went on up there was really unfortunate, to have people driving through crowds and running over protesters, it’s unfortunate, man. But the climate right now in our country is very toxic when it comes to race. I feel like you see that manifesting itself in situations like Charlottesville.”

Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey (99) enjoys a day off from practice, which he earned during OTA's during training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park Monday, Aug. 14, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn..
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Where do you think we’re going and what can be done to make things better?

“Yeah, I think you can talk about it and debate about it all day. I’m an action-oriented person, so I’ve always kind of taken steps to help to alleviate the symptoms of the system. The system is not really set up to benefit minorities and people of color. We’ve been left out of a large part of the economic trajectory of our country due to discrimination. Racism, slavery, the whole nine. We’re starting the race at the 5-yard line and everybody else is already at the 50.

"So I try to do things within my own community to help the youth, help give them opportunities to help lift them out of poverty and tragic circumstances. We focus on education, preaching entrepreneurship. My partner and I (at Huddle Ventures) took about 100 kids from minority schools to the South by Southwest (technology conference in Austin, Texas) to give them exposure to the technology industry. I’m always looking to give back, and I think a lot of my peers are looking to do the same thing. So what I’m hoping to see is for things to trend more toward unity in approach, that we can amplify our causes and our reaches. I think guys care. You see Michael Bennett and Marshawn Lynch using their platform (in protesting the anthem) and I think guys understand their platform now. I think guys are doing more about it.”

It’s interesting you bring them up because the reactions to their protests seem very different from the reactions to Kaepernick a year ago.

“Yeah, I mean, Kaepernick went out on a limb and set the stage for everything you see right now. He’s the originator; he’s the one who suffered the most for it; and he’s kind of opened up that door and that conversation. So when you see guys doing it now, it’s not as much of a shock. It’s just, ‘OK, they’re exercising their freedom of speech.’ Especially nowadays. When you see the other side exercising their freedom of speech and the extent to which they take it, it’s like ‘All right, well these (NFL) guys are not hurting anybody; they’re not preaching hate; they’re just standing up for their community.’ And when you really look at the intent from that perspective, you realize they’re just bringing exposure to people who don’t have a voice. And I respect them for that. I’m more action. I think they are, too, but everybody has a different way of going about it.”

Back to the hate and violence we just saw – did you find that shocking?

“I think if you’re a person of color in this country, there’s no shock about racism. I’ve been called (racist) names several times in traffic since I’ve been in Nashville. It’s prevalent. You drive down 65, you see Confederate flags and whatever that general’s name who was the first grandmaster of the KKK. It’s out here, man. You can ask anybody in this room, any minority in this room, they’re not shocked about racism. They know it’s there.

"Honestly, you can almost appreciate the overt racism more than the underlying racism – because you know where they stand. But it’s prevalent. It’s out here. It is what it is. You just hope that this stuff doesn’t keep getting passed down through generations.You hope to see it change.”

Do you think President Trump winning the election emboldened hate groups?

“I mean, President Trump is a very divisive figure. And he’s brought out a lot of hate, a lot of violence. Just look at the campaign, look at the violence that surrounded his rallies. I never saw anything like that when (President) Obama and Mitt Romney were going against each other.

"There’s a certain level of rhetoric that he preaches that a lot of people – I’m not going to say a lot but a certain demographic in this country – identify with. And they look to him as the catalyst for what their beliefs are and they feel he is justifying their beliefs. You can take what he says however you want to, but obviously there’s this group of people that are identifying and basically taking what he is saying as fuel. Adding it to the fire and pointing to him as, ‘Look, this is our president. This is the reason we voted for him. He gives us our confidence and support.’ I mean, it took him two days to condemn any type of hate group.”

Do you see anything positive coming from all this?

“Well, I think what you’re seeing is people are uniting against the hate. Look at Charlottesville. That was a white woman (Heather Heyer) who got killed, who was protesting against her white peers who were demonstrating hate. So you see white, black and whoever coming together in protest and solidarity against the hate. And so I think when you have an extreme figure and extreme hate, it kind of almost forces people to put away the small, petty differences and unite.”

And what about the sports world? Do you think it’s immune to these problems and do you think it can help in the real world?

“I think we’re in a bubble here in the sports world because we don’t see color on this team – especially this team, how tight we are. You know, we’ll debate, we’ll have conversations about it, but at the end of the day it’s like, ‘I know you’ve got my back, regardless of my color or ethnicity.’ It’s not a big deal and it’s always been like that since I’ve been playing football. It’s a family, but you’re in a bubble, almost sheltered from what goes on in the real world. A locker room is a unique circumstance, taking people from all ethnicities and backgrounds and putting them together toward one common goal. People forget about the differences.

"And as for helping underserved people, I think I’ve always had that affinity because I was once in that position. If it wasn’t for football, I don’t know exactly where I’d be right now, and thank God that he’s blessed me with a chance to display my talents and abilities. A lot of people aren’t afforded the opportunity to succeed, not because of lack of talent and ability, but lack of opportunity. We’re in a position to give back and give opportunities and exposure to kids who are underserved. I’ve really started taking it more seriously the past few years.”

Reach Joe Rexrode at jrexrode@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @joerexrode.